Israel to re-extend Gaza fishing zone to 6 miles
Published today (updated) 21/05/2013 18:25
http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=597629

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- The Israeli government has decided to re-extend Gaza's
fishing zone to 6 miles, after reducing it in March following a rocket
attack from the coastal territory, a statement from Israel's army said
Tuesday.

The decision was announced after a meeting between Israeli premier Benjamin
Netanyahu and defense minister Moshe Yaalon, who then informed the
Palestinian leadership in Ramallah.

Senior Egyptian and international officials were also informed about the
decision, the statement added.

In March, Israel's army announced that the fishing zone for Palestinians in
Gaza would be reduced from six to three miles following a rocket attack.

The zone had been extended to 11 km as part of an Egyptian-brokered
ceasefire that ended an eight-day conflict between Israel and Hamas in
November, in which 166 Palestinians and six Israelis were killed.

In the Oslo Accords, Israel agreed to a 20-nautical-mile fishing zone off
Gaza's coast but it has imposed a 3-mile limit for several years, opening
fire at fishermen who strayed further.

Israel has controlled Gaza waters since its occupation of the area in 1967,
and has kept several warships stationed off the coast since 2008.